New Style ESA & UC

Lexicon5

Hi I wondered if someone is able to advise me as I'm a little confused re the migration of ESA to UC. 

I was ill health retired in 2021 and have been claiming ESA (NS) and UC since then. I am in the support group of ESA and LCWRA group for UC. My ESA payment and small private pension is deduced £1 for £1 from my UC. 

Will I have to re apply for UC at some stage or will I automatically be transferred over? 

Muttleythefrog

If you're getting New style ESA then this continues along with your UC (from which the ESA is deducted as unearned income as you point out). NS ESA (unlike income related ESA) is not a benefit that is being migrated into the UC regime.

So no re-application or transfer/migration - you applied for and get ESA and UC under the 'modern system'.

Your eligibility for Support Group/LCWRA could at some point be re-assessed.

 The government do plan to merge NS/Contribs based JSA and ESA into a single time limited new benefit in future but details, timeline and whether that ever happens is.. well.. largely guesswork at moment.

Lexicon5

Thanks for the calcification Muttleythefrog.

itsthelittlethings

Keep an eye out for letters.

Muttleythefrog

itsthelittlethings said:

Keep an eye out for letters.

Check. I'm not sure there will be any..? They're getting NS ESA and UC already... no migration to UC required.

itsthelittlethings

Muttleythefrog said:

itsthelittlethings said:

Keep an eye out for letters.

Check. I'm not sure there will be any..? They're getting NS ESA and UC already... no migration to UC required.

You’re right. My benefits knowledge is getting slightly out of date, New Style ESA confuses me.